Lighthizer's Responses to Senate Questions

Here are a few answers from USTR nominee Robert Lighthizer to written questions from Senators (via Inside US Trade):

The European Union is the top export markets for the United States. At the same time, U.S. businesses and farmers face significant barriers to the EU market. The Obama Administration had launched TTIP negotiations with the EU to those barriers our exporters - where I believe we could be even more successful. Do you support continuing those negotiations? What alternative would you suggest to address trade barriers in the EU?

Answer: I agree with you about the importance of the EU as an export market for the United States. I understand that the T-TIP negotiations sought to reduce or eliminate barriers to U.S. exports in the EU, and that, while the United States made progress toward that goal, a number of difficult issues could not be resolved. I would look forward, if I am confirmed, to consulting with you and with other members of the Committee on whether, when, and how to proceed with a trade agreement with Europe. It is our impression, though, that upcoming elections in France, Germany, and other EU member states will, in any case, make it difficult for the EU to resume comprehensive trade negotiations until at least the end of this year. In the meantime, we would be open to exploring ways to address barriers to U.S. exports and to expand trade with the EU and its member states. As I said during my confirmation hearing, we also want to look for opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the European Commission and with EU member state governments on global trade issues of common concern, including the noneconomic expansion of production capacity around the world in critical sectors such as steel, aluminum and solar panels.

...

When Secretary Mnuchin was before this Committee for his confirmation hearing, he indicated that the outcomes in TPP would be a starting point for a NAFTA renegotiation. Do you share that view? Are the benefits in TPP a floor for what the Administration should seek to achieve in the new negotiations it contemplates with Canada and Mexico? What specific improvements over TPP do you think the Administration seek in any NAFTA renegotiation discussions?

Answer: I believe that in negotiating a new trade agreement we should learn from, and build on, earlier negotiated trade agreements. In the case of NAFTA and TPP, there is much in TPP that goes well beyond NAFTA. So, in a renegotiation of NAFTA, we should consider incorporating those provisions as well as improving areas where we may be able to go beyond TPP. In determining what those areas are and what to prioritize, I look forward to working with you, other Members of Congress, and stakeholders.

...

Canadian subsidies to softwood lumber have been a top concern for me for years and are the subject of new trade cases before Commerce and the International Trade Commission. Canada has in the past used special procedures included in Chapter 19 of NAFTA to force U.S. trade agencies to weaken trade remedies decisions on softwood lumber. The Trump Administration seems to want to renegotiate NAFTA, but have also suggested that they merely intend to “tweak” the agreement as to Canada. What are your views on NAFTA Chapter 19? If confirmed, and if the Administration initiates negotiations with Canada with respect to NAFTA, will you commit to working to address longstanding concerns with Chapter 19?

Answer: The review of disputes pursuant to trade remedy laws contained in Chapter 19 of NAFTA is an area that has raised concerns among Members of Congress and U.S. industry. Should I be confirmed, I certainly would want to work with you and U.S. industry regarding your concerns on Chapter 19.

...

The President has stated it is a priority to negotiate bilateral free trade agreements. One of America’s greatest allies is the United Kingdom, and the UK is also one of North Carolina’s top trading partners. There are many benefits to be had for North Carolina farmers, businesses, and workers by further increasing trade with the UK. As soon as possible, will you make negotiating a free trade agreement with the UK a priority?

Answer: I appreciate your highlighting that North Carolina, like many other states, enjoys a substantial trade relationship with the UK. As you know, until the UK leaves the EU it cannot sign a comprehensive trade agreement and may be limited in the extent to which it can formally conduct trade negotiations. When UK Prime Minister May visited in January, however, she and President Trump expressed an interest in pursuing discussions on how to deepen bilateral trade. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders on our future trade relation with the UK after it withdraws from the EU.

As far as I can tell, just about everything related to the direction of Trump's trade policy is still an open question.

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Lighthizer's Responses to Senate Questions

Here are a few answers from USTR nominee Robert Lighthizer to written questions from Senators (via Inside US Trade):

The European Union is the top export markets for the United States. At the same time, U.S. businesses and farmers face significant barriers to the EU market. The Obama Administration had launched TTIP negotiations with the EU to those barriers our exporters - where I believe we could be even more successful. Do you support continuing those negotiations? What alternative would you suggest to address trade barriers in the EU?

Answer: I agree with you about the importance of the EU as an export market for the United States. I understand that the T-TIP negotiations sought to reduce or eliminate barriers to U.S. exports in the EU, and that, while the United States made progress toward that goal, a number of difficult issues could not be resolved. I would look forward, if I am confirmed, to consulting with you and with other members of the Committee on whether, when, and how to proceed with a trade agreement with Europe. It is our impression, though, that upcoming elections in France, Germany, and other EU member states will, in any case, make it difficult for the EU to resume comprehensive trade negotiations until at least the end of this year. In the meantime, we would be open to exploring ways to address barriers to U.S. exports and to expand trade with the EU and its member states. As I said during my confirmation hearing, we also want to look for opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the European Commission and with EU member state governments on global trade issues of common concern, including the noneconomic expansion of production capacity around the world in critical sectors such as steel, aluminum and solar panels.

...

When Secretary Mnuchin was before this Committee for his confirmation hearing, he indicated that the outcomes in TPP would be a starting point for a NAFTA renegotiation. Do you share that view? Are the benefits in TPP a floor for what the Administration should seek to achieve in the new negotiations it contemplates with Canada and Mexico? What specific improvements over TPP do you think the Administration seek in any NAFTA renegotiation discussions?

Answer: I believe that in negotiating a new trade agreement we should learn from, and build on, earlier negotiated trade agreements. In the case of NAFTA and TPP, there is much in TPP that goes well beyond NAFTA. So, in a renegotiation of NAFTA, we should consider incorporating those provisions as well as improving areas where we may be able to go beyond TPP. In determining what those areas are and what to prioritize, I look forward to working with you, other Members of Congress, and stakeholders.

...

Canadian subsidies to softwood lumber have been a top concern for me for years and are the subject of new trade cases before Commerce and the International Trade Commission. Canada has in the past used special procedures included in Chapter 19 of NAFTA to force U.S. trade agencies to weaken trade remedies decisions on softwood lumber. The Trump Administration seems to want to renegotiate NAFTA, but have also suggested that they merely intend to “tweak” the agreement as to Canada. What are your views on NAFTA Chapter 19? If confirmed, and if the Administration initiates negotiations with Canada with respect to NAFTA, will you commit to working to address longstanding concerns with Chapter 19?

Answer: The review of disputes pursuant to trade remedy laws contained in Chapter 19 of NAFTA is an area that has raised concerns among Members of Congress and U.S. industry. Should I be confirmed, I certainly would want to work with you and U.S. industry regarding your concerns on Chapter 19.

...

The President has stated it is a priority to negotiate bilateral free trade agreements. One of America’s greatest allies is the United Kingdom, and the UK is also one of North Carolina’s top trading partners. There are many benefits to be had for North Carolina farmers, businesses, and workers by further increasing trade with the UK. As soon as possible, will you make negotiating a free trade agreement with the UK a priority?

Answer: I appreciate your highlighting that North Carolina, like many other states, enjoys a substantial trade relationship with the UK. As you know, until the UK leaves the EU it cannot sign a comprehensive trade agreement and may be limited in the extent to which it can formally conduct trade negotiations. When UK Prime Minister May visited in January, however, she and President Trump expressed an interest in pursuing discussions on how to deepen bilateral trade. If confirmed, I look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders on our future trade relation with the UK after it withdraws from the EU.

As far as I can tell, just about everything related to the direction of Trump's trade policy is still an open question.